Shoulder-brace



(No Model.)

B. BIDDLECOME.

SHOULDER BRACE- NO. 298,818. Patented May 20, 1884 WITNESSES: I

BENJAMIN BIDDLECOME, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SHOULDER-BRACIE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,818, dated May 20, 1884.

Application filed March 20, 1884.

(No model.)

Z0 aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN BIDDLEooME, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoulder-Braces; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the application of my improved shoulderbrace. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device removed from the person of the wearer. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of one end of the brace, showing the manner of attaching the elastic straps; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section through line or 50, Fig. I

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to shoulder-braces for preventing persons from stooping; and it consists in the detailed construction of the brace, as will be hereinafter more fully de scribed, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, A denotes a bar made of spring-steel, and enlarged at its middle to form the central shield, B. This bar may be covered with leather or other suitable material, if desired, and is curved fronrits central shield, D, as shown. The outer ends are slotted longitudinally, as shown at O C, and the part D, between said slots, is struck up so as to form a slot or opening, E, Fig. 4, for the insertion of the elastic shoulder straps or bands G, which are provided with buckles for properly regulating them.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with Fig. 1 of the drawings, the manner of using this brace will readily be understood without requiring further explana tion. The central enlargement or shield, B, is so adjusted as to bear against the hollow of the back between the shoulder-blades, and the arms are inserted through the elastic loops G G. In this position it will be impossible for a person wearing the appliance to stoop over, and thus induce contraction of the muscles of the chest and compression of the lungs and breastbone, which is a frequent and dangerous source of pulmonary disorders.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States The combination of the steel brace A, having central enlargement, B, and parallel slots 0 O at opposite ends, and elastic straps or hands G, clasped between the slotted ends of the brace and thekeeper D, formed by said slots, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN BIDDLECOME. 

